Apparatus for grinding, smoothing, and polishing plates of glass, marble, or other similar materials



Dec. 10, 1929. E. ROWART 1,738,730

APPARATUS FOR GRINDING, SMOOTHING, AND POLISHING PLATES 0F GLASS,MARBLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS Filed Nov. 4, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 1Dec. 10, 1929. E. ROWART 1,738,730

APPARATUS FOR GRINDING, SMOOTHING, AMD POLISHING PLATE 5 OF GLASS,MARBLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS Filed Nov; 4, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet ,5

Dec. 10, 1929. E. ROWART 1,733,730

" APPARATUS FOR GRINDING, SMOOTHING, AND POLISHING-PLATES 0F GLASS,MARBLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS v Filed Nov. 1927 9 sheetsesheet 4 rI U 6 71. toy- Dec. 10, 1929. E. ROWART 1,738,730

APPARATUS FOR GRINDING, SMOOTHING, AND POLISHING PLATES OF GLASS,MARBLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS.

Filed Nov. 4, 1927 Q-Sheets-Sheet 5.

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Dec. 10,1929. E. ROWART v 1,733,730

' APPARATUS FOR GRINDING, SMOOTHING, AND POLISHING PLATES OF GLASS,MARBLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS Filed Nov. 4, 1927 9 Sheets-Ashen 6"2 l n e takil I fwd Dec. 10, 1929.

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APPARATUS FOR GRINDING, SMOOTHING, AND POLISHING PLATES OF GLASS,MARBLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS 1 Filed Nov. 4, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 8v e 7? r 1,738,730 APPARATUS FOR GRINDING, SMOOTHING, AND POLISHINGPLATES 9 sheets s heet 9' Dec. 10, 1929. E. RowA'RT OF GLASS, MARBLE, OROTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS Filed Nov. 4, 1927 Patented Dec. 10, 1929 PATENTOFFICE EUGENE ROWART, OF AUVELAIS, BELGIUM APPARATUS FOR GRINDING,

SMOOTHING, AND POLISHING PLATES F GLASS,

MARBLE,

OR OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS Application filed November 4, 1927,

This invention relates to an apparatus for grinding, smoothing andpolishing plates of glass, marble or other similar materials by means ofgrinders or polishers. As it is well known, in apparatuses of this kindas heretobefore employed, the grinders and polishers are generallyrotated above the plates which are secured on tables or other similarsupporting means.

It has already been suggested in apparatuses of this kind in order toaccelerate the operations to move the glass plates or other platescontinuously under the grinders, polishers or other rubbingmembers. Inall those known apparatuses the rubbing members however are rotated moreor less quickly above the plates to be treated.

The consequence of this rotative motion is that the polishing or rubbingmaterial is projected to the periphery of the rubbing members andtables, so that the surface of the plates does not receive the requireduniform and regular smoothness.

r My invention has for its object to obviate these inconveniences toaccelerate the operations, and to obtain glass plates having an equalsmoothness over their whole surface.

-With this object in view, my invention essentially consists in thespecial arrangements andcombinations of parts hereinafter fullydescribed and pointed out in the appended claims:

Referring to the annexed drawings, which show as an example anembodiment of my invention Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machineconstructed in accordance with the invention, showing several grindingor polishing elements and also a table carrying the sheets or plates ofmaterial to be treated.

Figure 2 is a plan view, the left half 0 which illustrates the apparatuson the level of v the lateral rails whilst the right half is taken fromthe higher level of the carrier rail, the Polishers being removed.

Figure 3 is a transverse elevation illustrating a structure with therods and rails in section and two grinding or polishing elements.

50 Figure 4 is a view of three elements drawn bars which connect amonorail 11 to the Serial No. 230,976, and in Belgium April 4, 1927.

to a larger scale, one of the elements being shown together with itsmotor.

Figure 4: shows separately one of the burnishing irons as used for thefirst grinding.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing the position 5 of the polishers or otherworking elements during their travel along the curved part of themonorail.

Figure 6 is a cross section of the table on which the glass plates orthe like are bedded.

Figures 7 and 8 are side views in section showing details of the tableassemblage, the resilient fixing of the tables to the carrying frames,and means for fixing the glass plates to the joints of the tables andadjustable mechanism permitting the movement of the tables by a sprocketchain.

Figure 9 is a section similar to Figure 6, illustrating a modified formof the apparatus which allows the displacement of the table by areciprocating movement and which is specially applied to the work ofpolishing.

Figures 10 and 11 are views similar to Figs. %1 and 5 and showing threeelements and their driving means in the case where it is made use ofguiding meansat the upper end at the lower art. 1

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 show special arr-angeh ments of the monorail.

In the said figures: 3

1 designates the frame of the apparatus which consists of a fixed part 2and a movable part 3. The movable portion comprises a screw 3 and acooperating nut 4 which bears upon the frame 1. By rotating the nut 4,the screw 3' is moved in a vertical direction to adjust the movableportion 3. A ring 5, to which a cable 7 is attached, is secured to theupper part of the movable portion 3. The cable supports at the other enda systemof counter-weights 6.

8 is a framework which is jointed to ,the movable part 3 through thebearings 9.

10 (Figs. 1 and 3) denotes supports or cross framework 8.

12 (Figs. 1 to 4) denotes rails which are designed to guide the grindingsmoothing and polishing elements near the base of the latter. we

l3 designates the polishers which are attached to the plates. 15. Forthe first grinding however, grinding devices 13', (Fig. 4) aresubstituted for the said polishers.

14 denotes in general the smoothing and polishing elements which consistof the plates 15 each of which carry a male part 16 and a female part 17by means of which the plates are assembled together in a series, in theform of an endless chain rigid horizontally and joined laterally. Thefemale parts carry a bolt-hole 18 and the male parts carry a bolt hole19. These elements are adjusted and are assembled with the male partwithin the female part. A pivot pin 20 (Figure 4).

which passes through the bolt holes in the male and female parts restsby a shoulder on the u per part of the female part and 1s securedbeneath the lower end of this part by a collar with a lock-nut. Abovethe shoulder of this pivot which serves as an axis are horizontallyarranged rollers 21, the object.

of which is to maintain the polishers in alignment with guide-rails 12when the bolted members slide slightly.v

22 designates connecting bars, which are designed to transmit movementto plates 15' on which they are secured in a vertical position, 23 desinates the upper part of certain of these ars 22, which upper part isshaped in the form of a hook and carries an electric motor 27 whichreceives its current from the power line 27 (Figure 3).

24 denotes wheels carried by the bars 22 and by means of which theapparatus moves on the monorail 11. The upper wheel 24 rests on themonorail 11 and the lower wheel is in contact with the said monorailimmediatelybeneath the said upper wheel. On the axle of the said lowerwheel are mounted a toothed wheel 25 and a'wheel 26. The wheel 26receives its movement from the electric motor 27 fixed to the upper partof the bars 22 and toothed wheel 25 transmits its movement to a toothedwheel 28 which drives 4 the upper wheel 24.

' (Fig 9).

29 (Fig. 1) denotes tables on.which the plates of glass or othermaterial are fixed; these tables consist of a frame 30 on which is fixedthe platform or upper part 31; the parts in contact between the frame,30and the platform 31 are perfectly finished as well as the surfaceonwhich the glass-plates or other plates are fixed.

Theplatform 31 is secured tothe frame 30 by bolts32 (Figs. 6 and 7)carrying springs 33 (Fig. 7) which are pressed by nuts against the frame30, and WhlCh form resilient supports for the plate 31, thereby enablingit to move slightly in the verticaldirection with a certain amount ofelasticity. I j

The frame 30 is mounted on. the train of wheels 34 which roll on rails35; the platform 31 carries rollers 36 on a vertical axis Along the pathof rolling formed platform 31; these threaded wheel 44 necting thetables together. The saiddevice is integral with the platform 31 and issuitably placed so that the holes 39 of one table align withcorresponding holes in the following or preceding table and receive pins40 which join the tables together in series.

41 (Figure 8) indicates horizontal pins screwed into projections at theends of the pins fit in corresponding holes 42 in a projection formed onthe end of the platform 31 of the following table.

42 indicates a device arranged on the frame 30 which is designed toestablish the connection between an endless chain 43 and the tables formoving the latter; this device carries a fork 44 having a threaded shaftextending therefrom which can be displaced in a yertical plane byactuating the internally v The connection with the chain 43 isestablished by moving the fork 44 downward to straddle the chain betweenexternal link connectors. The fork 44 may be moved horizontally intovertical alignment with an internal link of the chain 43 by means of thethreaded horizontal shaft engaged by the internally threaded hand wheel46.

48 (Fig. 8) designates a slightly cut-away portion of the two adjacenttransverse edges of. the platforms 31. Under this cut-away part, and atone of its edges, is formed a groove 48 in which is fitted amember 49which can be moved forwards or backwards by suitable means for instanceunder the action of a spring arranged in the groove 48 This member isdesigned to press and fix ness a little greater than the open jointbetweenthe glass plates at the end of the two tables, with amaterialwhich is adhesive and plastic at a certain temperature, so that, whentwo" tables are attached to one another, there exists between the glassplates at the ends of the two tables, a perfect joint which fixes theglass plates to the table and prevents all vertical movement of theplates and the 'intiiomtluction of foreign matter beneath the said p aes.

51 (Figure 9) indicates a crank and a connecting rod for the producingof a reciproeating motion which drives a conveyor 52. Conveyor 52 isprovided with wheels 52 which ride on the rails 52 conveyor. Extendingfrom faces of the frame 52 is an extension 53 to which a connecting rod61 is connected. The crank arm is actuated from a source of power thelower surand support the by means of. a belt 63 engaging a pulley 64secured to a horizontal shaft 58 which carries crank 51.

54 indicates an endless chain secured to the carrier. This chainreceives its movement from an electric motor 55 which is designed todrive, with a continuous rectilinear movement, the tables used for thework of polishmg.

56- (Fig. 1) indicates a platform surrounding the frames and on whichthe polishers move,when they leave the table.

In the drawings, the pipes and arrange,- ments for feeding the abrasiveand washing materials have been omitted in order to maintain moreclearness and to facilitate the understanding of the invention.

In practice the dimensions of the rubbing members, burnishers orpolishers and the translation speed of those members and of the tablessuch as their pressure on the plates to be treated vary according to theuse and the phases of the work.

The whole of a plant consists in a track of sufficient length, the rails35 of which are afiixed at the distance determined by the width of thetables in a perfectly horizontal plane.

The tables 29, the dimensions of which vary according to the weight anddimensions of the articles to be cleaned, move on the track, drawn bythe endless chain, with a definite speed between two parallel lines ofguides 37 which prevent the lateral movements which they might receiveduring the working.

Above the track in the horizontal direction and at right angles to the.direction of the rails 35 are arranged in echelon the systems of rubbingdevices which have been described and which are arranged parallel to oneanother and following one another at suitable distances, in order thatthe distributing devices for the abrasive material and the washing watercan be placed between each line of elements. The rubbin members ofeachapparatus, that is to say t e members moving on asame monorail 11 moveat a speed suitable for theparticular stage of the operation which theyperform in two lines in opposite directions produced by the arrangementof the members in "the form of an endless chain.

Each of the stages of the operation .requires a sufiicient number ofrubbing devices to accomplish the work whether it concerns thecontinuous surfacing, smoothing or washing, etc., of the glass.

As the work of polishing requires for its easy and perfectaccomplishment that each of the rubbing elements perform a completeoperation in the various stages which go to form the washing, smoothingand polishing of the glass. etc., the tables carried by the carrier 52(Fig. 9)- receive a reciprocating movement during the various stages ofthe operation.

In the operation of the devicea series of grinding machines, of the typehereinbefore described, are arranged side by side. endless chain is runbeneath the several machines and draws the tables or supports upon Theterial to be ground and polished isxsecured to the conveyor chain andadvanced under the first set of rubbing elements. The machine is thenstarted and successive tables follow the aforementioned table throughthe several machines until the last polishing operation .is to beperformed, wherein the continuous movement of the table is substitutedby a reciprocating motion. The operation of the grinders on the platewill be readily understood fromthe foregoing detailed description of thedevice.

IVhat'I claim is:

' 1. In a machine of the class described, rubbing members connectedtogether to form an endless chain, rubbing plates carried by the rubbingmembers, a monorail forming an elongated ring above the rubbing members,wheels frictionally engaging the monorail and connected to the rubbingmembers, and means for rotating said wheels to propel the rubbingmembers.

2. In a machine of the class described,-rubbing members connectedtogether to form an endless chain, rubbing plates carried by saidmembers, a monorail forming an elongated ring above the rubbing members,wheels frictionally engaging the upper and lower sides of the monorailand connected to said rubbing members, and an electric motor supportsecured to said wheels.

3. In amachine of the class described, rubbing members connectedtogether to form an endless chain, an endless guideway above saidmember, a monorail parallel to said guideway, wheels frictionallyengaging the monorail and connected to the rubbing members and means forrotating said wheels to propel the rubbing members along said guideway.

4.. In a machine of the class described, rubbing members connectedtogether to form an. endless chain, vertical shafts extending from therubbing members, fixed guide rails forming an endless guideway, rollerson said vertical shafts engaging said guide rails, a mo orail parallelto said guideway, wheels f ictionally engaging said rail and connectedto said rubbing elements, and means for rotating the wheels to propelthe rubbing members.

5. In a machine of the class described, rubbing members connectedtogether to form an endless chain, vertical shafts extending from saidrubbing members, fixed guide rails 01111! m an endless guideway abovesaid members,

r0 lers on said shafts engaging the guide rails, a monorail parallel tosaid guideway, Wheels frictionally en aging said rails and connected tosaid rubblng elements, an electric motor support carried by said wheels,and an electric motor secured to said support and connected with saidwheels, I

6. In a machine of the class described,

rubbing members connected together .to form an endless chain, a monorailforming an elongated contlnuous ring, wheels connected to the upper andlower side of the monorail and connected to said rubbing members, andmeans for displacing said monorail in a vertical direction to determinethe pressure of the rubbing members.

7. In a machine of the class described, rubbing members connectedtogether to form an endless .chain, a monorail forming an elon- 1 gatedcontinuous ring, wheels frictionally engaging the upper and lower sideof the monorail and connected to said rubbing members, means forrotating said wheels to pro- I e1 said rubbing elements and meansincludmg a bolt, a nut and a counterweight, for moving said monorail ina vertical direction.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

EUGENE ROWABT.

